A&M/UME has set an April 13 release date for the Carpenters rarities collection "As Time Goes By," featuring 11 tracks previously unreleased in the United States. The set was assembled with the assistance of Richard Carpenter, who contributes notes for each track and a general project overview. Among the highlights are a cover of the Beatles' "Nowhere Man" and a humorous medley of the themes from "Star Wars" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Also featured on "As Time Goes By" is a duet medley between the late Karen Carpenter and Ella Fitzgerald on such favorites as the title cut, "Someone To Watch Over Me," "My Funny Valentine" and "I'll Be Seeing You." In the same vein is a Carpenters medley with Perry Como on such cuts as "We've Only Just Begun," "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," "Close to You" and "Sing."

The album is rounded out by "Hits Medley '76," featuring "Ticket To Ride," "For All We Know" and "Goodbye To Love"; a cover of Martha & the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street"; a medley comprised of "I Got Rhythm," "'S Wonderful," "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Fascinating Rhythm" and a cover of the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'."

The 35th anniversary edition of the Carpenters' "Gold" recently debuted at No. 119 on The Billboard 200, marking the group's first appearance on the chart in nearly six years.